Another DC Animation has dropped in the guise of Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, and while it a good movie it isn’t Gotham by Gaslight, which I thought was a cut above the rest. Don’t get me wrong Hell to Pay starts of very well and has some good plot threads. But it never fully delivers on them.
The squad as well seems sub-par, Harley (DC’s current cash cow) is the there. And for the love of me I can’t understand why. I am a Harley fan, but with no story arc I find her role superfluous. Other than a few half funny one liners she doesn’t do much. Deadshot the villain seeking redemption and reconciliation with his daughter is a clear fit and has a well thought out arc which is reflected by the inclusion of the variation of Bronze Tiger. They play of each other nicely and have a good pay off.
Then Killer Frost, Copperhead and Boomerang fill up the rest of the squad and each have a decent role to play. But much like the squads purpose, they simply there to fulfil a task and then it’s back to line son.
The plot is partially derivative, but can be over looked due to the supernatural element. The squad are tasked to retrieve a card that allows a deceased safe passage to heaven regardless of their deeds on earth. Amanda Waller wants this card and she commissions here private force to obtain it. No insight is ever given as to why. The viewer just makes the assumption she seeks redemption for her less than ethical approach to justice.
There is the redeeming villain Zoom/Reverse Flash, whose predicament is worth exploring. In fact had this story been told from his point of view it could have been ground breaking? But that is probably wishful thinking.
However even with all those flaws, the movie does keep you engaged and is a good watch. The animation is DC’s usual high quality and good tone. At least they didn’t shoe horn in…
I think you should give this a watch, because while a masterpiece it is not, it does have its moments and thanks to Deadshot it does have a little heart.